Ohio & Family

Life is so good to us! We can travel and see the country and also be able to spend time with our kids and have new adventures with them. It was so good spending time with Zach and Lauren and of course their dogs, Hope, Harvey, and Jake. We don’t get to spend enough time with Lauren in the two weeks we are in Cincinnati since her job takes her out of town during the week but we try to make it up over the weekends.

Joe and Zach caught a movie together and got in a little golf driving range time. We took Hope, the Great Dane, for a few days while Zach was going to work on his house. His ordered supplies didn’t come in so the project was put on hold but we had a good time with Hope. Zach and Lauren took us downtown Cincinnati Friday evening for a walk in Washington Park and dinner at the Senate Restaurant. They seemed to always find someplace new and interesting for us to try when we visit. This was just as different and good as our visit last year when we went to Tom and Chee, the grilled cheese restaurant. The Senate is advertised as a gourmet street food restaurant. This was a very nice bar and restaurant where Zach encouraged us to try a gourmet hot dog. These are no ordinary hot dogs. I had the Trailer Park – a bacon wrapped beef hot dog with American cheese, coleslaw, crushed grippos on a brioche bun. Joe had the Croque Madame – beef hot dog, béchamel, black forest ham, brioche bun topped with a poached egg. It was very good and a whole lot of hot dog. Lauren always makes sure we stop at Grater’s Ice Cream for the best ice cream, one of Joe and my favorite ice cream shops. We’ll see what they come up with for our next visit.

We had a wonderful hike in French Park with Zach and the dogs while Lauren was at her sister’s bridal shower. The park is a beautiful hidden treasure in Cincinnati. There were very few people so we were able to let the dogs off leash as we followed a trail along an enchanting creek. The weather was perfect for a nice hike. The day was finished off with a nice campfire with tired dogs.

Easter Sunday was spent with Joe’s brother and his family along with Zach and Lauren. It was a nice day catching up with family. The day ended back at the campfire with Zach and Lauren and saying our goodbyes since we were leaving Ohio in the morning. Our time with the kids always goes so fast. Our intentions were to work on Zach and Lauren’s deck but the weather didn’t cooperate. We’ll get at it next time. Zach and Lauren are going to Minnesota in June to go on our family camping trip to Grand Marais. Can’t wait!